Week 30 - Dec 21st - 27th, 2014

Sunday, December 21st to Saturday, December 27th

Our week started with the Winter Solstice here in the Southern Hemisphere which is opposite of what we are used to from home.  Today is the longest daylight hours of the year and the daylight hours will now begin to shorten until the Summer Solstice which marks the beginning of winter here and the shortest daylight hours.

In any event, it is still the Christmas season and we truly hope that all who read this enjoyed drawing close to the Savior and sharing the love and kindness that accompany the celebrations and His gift with all who fall within our circles of influence.

Lest we forget.  Let us not from day to day all year long.

We had a most memorable time here celebrating Christmas with the Elders, about 170 of them.  

We fed them breakfast, had Santa pass out some humble gift packages to them, watched a movie with them "Meet the Mormons" (which was terrific in and of itself), then we played some sports with them as they slowly departed to find their way to dinner appointments and to make their Christmas calls back home to their families.

All the way from the North Pole right?

We also were blessed by the opportunity to make some video calls home to our kids and grandkids and experience some love and joy and Christmas happiness with them.  Of course we love and miss them but as a substitute this year, we were able to truly enjoy a much larger 'family' here with whom we shared similar circumstances and enjoyment.

Two other noteworthy events this week:  1) taking Melanie for a 'root canal' visit to her new girl friend a Hindu dentist who is finding lots of other work to do for her even besides the fun root canal; 2) took an Elder to the airport for an early release and a return home on Christmas Eve, he left here about 9:00 p.m. and will arrive home on Christmas Day a little after noon at his destination.  He had a lot of nervous anxiety but seemed okay and happy as we parted company at the airport.  It was still a heart touching experience as are all of these early release departures.

Anyway to end on positive wish again of a Merry Christmas and now an upcoming Happy New Year to you all!  Our love to you.